PETERSFIELD'S Durford Road post office has officially become Durford Road Stores – much to the chagrin of shop owner Jo Patel. Mr Patel, who has been in situ with wife Johti for 16 years, saw his post office close as part of Government plans to axe 61 branches across the county. He said: "My customers are not very happy. People still come in who don't know about the closure, and they feel sorry and have a talk with me, sympathising about it. "It's very sad as it was a very busy post office. "I may have to look at other work as it will certainly have an effect on my business if people don't come in," he added. While the long-term effects of the post office closure are an unknown, locals around Durford Road are already feeling the inconvenience. David Burstall, of nearby Heath Road, said: "There are a lot of people who live around here who do not have the benefit of free buses into Petersfield, like the employees of East Hampshire District Council. "And we are all very sorry to see it close. The queues outside the post office in town were already out in the street before the closure, and then you have to consider parking." "The treatment that Mr Patel has received at the hands of the Post Office if quite disgraceful," he added. "Not only is his livelihood being arbitrarily removed from him, but to make matters worse he has been threatened that should he try to compete with other continuing postal services – for example selling Lotto tickets – he will have his agreed compensation package arbitrarily reduced. "There's a lot being said about Jo and Johti serving the community so well for 16 years, looking after the residents of Durford Road in a large community. "One of the significant points about it is that Clare Gardens post office actually did more business when open than the post office in Harting. "The whole thing is totally crazy," he said. Meanwhile, retail consultants working for East Hampshire District Council have completed consultation to assist local communities with the impact of post office closures. After the closure of Durford Road, residents of Upper Wield, Passfield, East Meon, East Tisted and Dellfield/Froxfield are encouraged to support their local shops. Ken Moon, EHDC's lead councillor for economic development, said the council had responded to the closure of post office services with a rapid assessment over the first quarter of 2008. This evidence base will provide a valuable input to applications for grant aid available from the district council. "This quick response was required to enable the shop owners and local communities to have a clear picture of the options available following the cessation of post office services. The council will now be inviting applications for grant aid support from the individual businesses. "However, it is essential that local communities remain committed to supporting their local shop," he said.
